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Perspective from Rwanda, Liberia, Romania, and Ukraine April 28, 2011 by W. Robert Pearson I just came home from Rwanda, Liberia, Romania and Ukraine. What do these countries have in common you ask and why is IREX focusing on them right now? Each one of these countries is in transition from a difficult past to a hoped-for brighter future. Each one of these countries is in a better position now than in over a generation to make genuine progress toward the goals they’ve set for themselves. Each has its own unique set of challenges, naturally.	World Health Day Highlight: Maternal Health Outreach Through Libraries April 7, 2011 The Constanta County Library is partnering with local organizations to facilitate support groups for breast cancer survivors. The library is developing and strengthening ties to the community while offering information and support for women’s and maternal health issues.
IREX Biblionet Program in Romania to Host Top Gates Foundation Officials April 1, 2011 From April 5 to April 7, 2011 Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will travel to Bucharest to visit the Global Libraries Romania – Biblionet program. Burwell and Pearson will take part in a national panel discussion on the role that libraries can play in deploying e-government services and visit several of Romania’s rural libraries that are effectively addressing community development challenges.	Developing the Role of Libraries in Communities March 18, 2011 Constanta, Romania county libraries joined Biblionet participants in sharing organizational and creative ideas during November sessions of the “Basics of New Library Services” course. Certified trainers Liliana Stamate and Manuela Dinica facilitated sessions about existing and potential resources, retaining and expanding library users, and the stages for developing new services. Participants returned to their libraries with new methods and ideas based on the similar experiences of their fellow dedicated librarians.
IREX President Thanks Bill Gates February 7, 2011 by W. Robert Pearson Last Wednesday evening I had the opportunity to personally thank Bill Gates for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation support for the Global Libraries programs that IREX implements in Romania and Ukraine.	Braila Librarian, Mayor Keep the Internet on Despite Budget Challenges January 17, 2011 by Corina Ciuraru, Biblionet Regional Coordinator Gemenele, in Braila county, Romania, has everything you would expect in a small town: a town hall, church, school, and cultural center where the library is located. And today, despite recent budget cutbacks, the library has new computers and a commitment to an ongoing internet connection thanks to the mayor and librarian Nicoleta Manzala.
An Enemy Becomes a Best Friend November 19, 2010 by Maggie McDonough Vica Blaga has been the librarian of Tg. Bujor, a little town in Galati County, Romania, for 26 years. She recalls feeling desperate when computerization of libraries was first discussed.	Pensioner Teaches IT Skills to Peers at Biblionet Library November 11, 2010 In Odorheiu Secuiesc, pensioners are now learning how to stay in touch with family and loved ones online at their local library.
Graduates of Summer School for Young Librarians Return Home November 11, 2010 In September, 17 young librarians from nine public libraries in Romania successfully graduated from Biblionet’s first Summer School for Young Librarians.	Libraries Coordinate Community Cleanup in Bihor County November 9, 2010 by Matt Vanderwerff On Saturday, September 25, libraries in Bihor County coordinated a volunteer effort of more than 150 people to take part in “Let’s Do it Romania,” a community cleanup effort. As part of “Let’s Do It Romania,” the volunteers – local students, library users, and librarians in seven communities – filled and removed more than 200 bags of garbage in the county.